Exclusive | Gangubai Kathiawadi writer Utkarshini Vashishtha on working with SLB

Utkarshini Vashishtha is on cloud nine as Gangubai Kathiawadi got her a National Film Awards 2023 After 10 years of working on the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial the efforts bore sweet fruits In an exclusive interview with MidDay Utkarshini spoke about following National Awards religiously over the years and learning from diverse cinema She shared Till recently I religiously followed National Awards I respect the National Awards because of regional cinema I used to make a list of those films and watch themTalking about women writers bringing across change in the Indian film fraternity she said I think it is a very positive trend Honey Irani started it for us and then Sai Paranjpe also changed the scenario When Juhi Chaturvedi came with those great stories and superb films she modified the situation for women writers in India I thank her for inspiring usUtkarshini further spoke about Gangubai Kathiawadi being in the making for 10 years The writer revealed Gangubai Kathiawadi was in the making for 10 years The script was ready but there was a fear as people in India donrsquot talk about sex workers At the dinner table families donrsquot talk about sex Thatrsquos one part of society people want to brush under the carpet Gangubai Kathiawadi brought them into mainstream conversation From youngsters to senior citizens everyone spoke about the topic Thatrsquos the biggest award and reward we could get for the film Voh joh sharam thi na uss topic se voh hatt gaya Theres no stigma around the topic anymore The film projected Gangubai as a film star but she was a sex worker Now all Gangubais are being looked at as stars They deserve respect too Kaam kar rahe hai voh theyre working thatrsquos itWe have limited source material I had to refer to documentaries that were shot on phones and some on camera What I saw shook me to my core Theres a scene where a woman makes her child consume opium just to ensure the kid isnt exposed to the ugly world Sanjay sir is a genius and I had no doubts with that We had discussions about songs and being a Bhansali film Gangubai Kathiawadi had to have songs I was worried that the songs could throw the audience away from the subject matter but when it was executed I was awestruck Mere Jaan song which was shot inside a car was so beautiful I wrote it as a scene between two people and when I watched it the song was about a woman who was touched gently for the first time Sanjay sir was clear that he didnt want to make a documentary He said I dont want it to be a lecture for the audience It has to be entertaining When the audience comes to theatres they will understand the purpose of making the film Utkarshini addedThe writer further spoke about dealing with historical subjects and novel adaptations She said The project I am working on currently is a book adaptation Therersquos a lot of work that goes behind researching and writing for a period film We have to make the material suitable and palatable for films and the audience Without losing the essence of the subject we have to make it concise and leave some space for songs Every person reacts differently to a book or a film We cannot impress everyone It is a challenge and a huge responsibility when you are depicting a personrsquos life on the big screen It is a sensitive thing It is important to keep the persons family friends and opinions in mind No matter how much commercially viable you want to make it you cannot leave the truth of the story There is creative liberty while we retain the truth Like in Sarabjit it is a 23yearlong struggle and I cannot show everything We pick the high points and make a filmOpening up about cancel culture Utkarshini shared Irsquom terrified of the cancel culture There is a movie I am working on and it is a historical piece Those are truths of the time If you are showing events that took place 1000 years ago it wonrsquot go well with certain sections of society who think differently today Everyone cannot be happy but your intention has to be honest You have a responsibility towards the person on whom the film is being made and also towards the audience Baaki ko naraz hona hai toh ho sakte hai I always joke with Sanjay sir before his films release Sir where are the protestors You might be feeling incompleterdquo He says They must be on their way There are 237 of people who will not like his work but 9837 love him I think those 237 of people also deserve a chance to express their opinions Youre doing good if people are reacting to it If they react they have connected with the project The entire social media is based on reactions Those people need some sort of validation